In Benin, "traditions are still influencing social life to a great extent": "On one hand, their best aspects must be encouraged, but on the other hand, it is necessary to reject the manifestations which are meant to do evil, frighten or exclude others", said the Pope to the Benin bishops, welcoming their ad limina visit today. The Pope thanked them for showing "great evangelical courage", in years, before all the difficulties in their society, and above all, "in the field of justice and human rights". Benedict XVI encouraged the bishops "to develop a real communion spirituality", also by "helping priests, through good relations, to fully assume their sacerdotal ministry". Priests, he added, have "to be able to identify real goodness in the traditions of their people". "Christian faith he pointed out must inculcate inner freedom as well as responsibility before the events of life, given us by Christ, into hearts. A solid Christian training will thus be an indispensable support to help believers to compare faith with the beliefs of ‘tradition’". That training must teach them "to pray with trust" and "to find support in Christian communities". A big contribution, according to the Pope, must be paid by catechists, by the institutes of consecrated life, working with the more disadvantaged, and by the members of contemplative life communities. (To be continued)
